Election 2024: Trump nearly won Palm Beach County for first time in reclaiming White House
WEST PALM BEACH — Not only did former President Donald Trump reclaim the White House in Tuesday's election, but he also nearly won deep-blue Palm Beach County for the first time in his three runs for office.
The Republican nominee's loss Tuesday was by his narrowest margin yet, claiming 49% of the vote, according to preliminary results from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office.
The office estimates Kamala Harris won the county by a margin of about 5,500 votes. The office is expected to certify the tally in the next few days.
The margin was a far cry from 2016, Trump's successful run for the White House against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump finished with 41% of the vote, 102,271 fewer than Clinton.
Trump lost to President Joe Biden in 2020 by a similar margin. In that race, he took 43% of the vote, 98,861 ballots fewer than Biden.
Palm Beach County is a longtime democratic stronghold in Florida and for years was critical to Democrats winning statewide. Broward County, another Democratic stronghold. borders it to the south, but Republican-dominated Martin County lies along its northern border the north.
Trump became a permanent resident of Palm Beach County in 2019 at his Palm Beach mansion, Mar-a-Lago.
This is a developing story. Check back at www.PalmBeachPost.com for updates.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at . Support local journalism: Subscribe today .
